Stage 32 x Witchcraft Motion Picture Company Contained Genre Screenwriting Contest

A First-Of-Its-Kind "Contained Genre" Screenwriting Contest! 

In partnership with Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, one of the top independent production studios in Hollywood!

The Grand Prize Winning writer will sign a shopping agreement to go into a script development and packaging with Stage 32 & Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, the producers behind the successful contained films DOLLY, BLOOD FOR DUST, NIGHT SWIM, and more!

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company will also review all Semi-Finalist loglines - eligible for script requests!

PLUS -- All Top 10 Finalists will be eligible for mentorships!

What Is A Contained Genre Movie? 

A contained movie is a film that takes place within confined parameters - such as limited locations and a smaller cast, often relying on high tension, psychological drama, and character development rather than VFX spectacle. These films are are common in the thriller, horror, crime, sci-fi, drama, and found footage genres - which is exactly what we're looking for!

• Limited Setting: Usually confined to one or a few main locations (e.g., Panic Room, Buried, Phone Booth).
• Small Cast: Often features only three to five characters, sometimes only one, driving the narrative.
• High Tension/Claustrophobia: The physical (contained) restriction is used to heighten fear, anxiety, and intimacy.
• Character-Driven: Focuses on performance and interpersonal conflict.
  

We're proud to announce the Stage 32 + Witchcraft Motion Picture Company Contained Genre Screenwriting Contest to help discover the next great contained story. Witchcraft are partnering in a first-of-its-kind contest designed to fast-track a contained genre script from contest discovery to professional development and production!

Witchcraft Motion Picture Company is leading that charge. They champion bold storytelling, built on the belief that great films and great writers come from anywhere and everywhere. Witchcraft has developed a reputation for producing prestigious and commercially viable projects that thrill audiences while resonating long after. 

The Grand Prize Winning screenwriter will receive:

• Witchcraft Motion Picture Company shopping agreement, script development and packaging.

• Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value) including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources
• Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team
• Industry Marketing Campaign promoting winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives
• Strategic Partnership where Stage 32 and Witchcraft Motion Picture Company executives collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market

Our Finalists will receive:

Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure!

But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!

Let our previous contest winner Kelly Nugent tell you why you should enter!

Open to Feature Film Scripts!

Stage 32 Contest Winners Have Gone on to Work With:

Important Dates to Be Aware Of

Super Early Bird Deadline:  May 14th, 2026

Early Bird Deadline:  June 10th, 2026

Regular Deadline: July 1st, 2026

Final Deadline: July 22nd, 2026

Quarterfinalist Announcement: September 11th, 2026

Semifinalist Announcement:  September 25th, 2026

Finalist Announcement: October 9th, 2026

Winner Announcement: October 23rd, 2026

If you have any questions regarding this contest, check out frequently asked questions here.

THIS YEAR'S PRIZE PACKAGES INCLUDE:

WINNER: The Career Accelerator Package - $4,000 Value

• PROJECT DEVELOPMENT with Witchcraft Motion Picture Company who will develop and package the winning project!
  
  
• Script Development Package
  • Free detailed, comprehensive story notes on your script
  • Pitch deck development to help get your winning project market-ready for you to shop
  • Logline polish for your winning project

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development call with a top Executive
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Package
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Portfolio guidance
• Portfolio branding tips
• Social media branding tools

• Education Package
• Free 1-year Writer’s Room Membership
• Stage 32 Webinar Library All-Access prize code (3,000+ hours of educational content)
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification

FINALISTS: The Career Momentum Package - $1,500 Value

• Career Development Package
• Free Career Development call with a top Executive
• Inclusion in the Stage 32 Finalists Lookbook which goes out to over 1,000 working industry executives
• Private Open Writing Assignment submissions for 1 year
• An exclusive workshop with our team to learn how to navigate the industry and leverage your placement

• Writer Branding Workshop with an Executive
• A punch-up of your professional bio
• Headshot selection advice
• Logline polish for your finalist script

• Education Package
• Free 3-month Writer’s Room Membership
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

SEMIFINALISTS: The Career Breakthrough Package - $1,000 Value

• Education Package
• Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
• 1 Free Stage 32 Class
• 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
• 1 Free Stage 32 Webinar

QUARTERFINALISTS: The Career Elevation Package - $500 Value

• Education Package
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free Stage 32 Individual Certification
  • 1 Free webinar code

ALL ENTRANTS - $100 value

• Education
  • Free 1-month Writer’s Room Membership
  • 1 Free webinar code

In addition to all that, all writers receive continued support from the Stage 32 team, who work tirelessly to get you in front of decision-makers.

Our Screenwriting Contests Winners See Results

Stage 32 has launched the careers of hundreds of writers over the last 12 years. Stage 32 has quickly emerged as the leading source for industry executives to uncover new talent! Is this your year to move the needle on your career?

Previous contest winner Diana Wright was signed to The Cartel and Abrams Artists Agency! Check out her video here:

More Contest Winners would love to tell you why you should enter!

Previous winner, Christina Pamies, was signed by "Billion Dollar" Literary Manager, Jake Wagner. After that, he got her a paid gig with StudioCanal adapting the recently released film BAGHEAD, which was co-produced by The Picture Company and released via AMC+ Networks!

VIEW THE BAGHEAD (2024) TRAILER HERE! AVAILABLE NOW ON SHUDDER!

Our 3rd Annual Feature Drama winner Kelly Nugent signed with a manager at Wonder Street Entertainment after winning with her script THE OTHER MOTHER CRIED!

Our 6th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Jeff Galante signed with a manager at Primary Wave, and he is currently working on a slate of feature films with producers. Jeff's gone on to create/produce TV pilots for NBC and A&E and has consulted on projects for Ron Howard, Chris Moore, and Warner Bros animation.

Our 5th Annual Feature Screenwriting winner, Eric Jeske signed with a manager at Heroes & Villans Entertainment.

Winner Jonathan Jordan was signed by major literary agency Verve, and worked on a script currently in production through them. He has also signed with a manager and is currently working on a new film.

Our 4th Annual Comedy Contest winner, Greg Mania was signed by Cohn/Torgan Management, and has since published a memoir called Born To Be Public, which was named NPR’s Best Book of 2020.

Previous Contest Winner Layla O'Shea took meetings all over Los Angeles (and online) with Literary Managers, Producers, and Execs and is still going strong!

She shares her advice: "There is no one path or age limit when it comes to breaking in!"

Click the "Success Stories" link here for even more testimonials from our past winners!

Rod Blackhurst (Contest Partner) - Producer, Director, Owner, Witchcraft Motion Picture Company

Rod Blackhurst is a producer, director, writer and owner of Witchcraft Motion Picture Company. Rod most recently directed and produced the dramatic crime thriller BLOOD FOR DUST starring Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Ethan Suplee, Nora Zehetner and Stephen Dorff. BLOOD FOR DUST was produced by Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, the film and television studio Blackhurst runs with partner Noah Lang. BLOOD FOR DUST premiered at Tribeca and Deauville in 2023 to acclaim from Variety, Film Threat, Screen Anarchy, The Hollywood Reporter, Rogert Ebert and many more.

Blackhurst is also known as the Emmy and Critics Choice nominated director and producer of the Netflix Original Documentary AMANDA KNOX and the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award Winning Narrative Film HERE ALONE. Previously, Blackhurst’s THE WHITE ROOM, co-created with filmmaker Bryce McGuire was named to the 2018 Blood List before being acquired by Amblin Partners. Blackhurst and McGuire also co-wrote the story for the 2024 Universal Pictures release NIGHT SWIM (based on their titular acclaimed short film) starring Academy Award Nominee Kerry Condon and Wyatt Russell.

He has directed a number of award-winning short films including the SXSW Official Selection WOULD YOU, starring Dave Franco and Chris Mintz-Plasse, Short of the Week MOMMY, Vimeo Staff Pick ALONE TIME and HYSTERIC, a Fantasia, Short of the Week and Alter (Gunpowder & Sky) Official Selection.

As a genre agnostic filmmaker Blackhurst directed and showran the documentary series JOHN WAYNE GACY: DEVIL IN DISGUISE for Peacock and directed on NatGeo’s WELCOME TO EARTH starring Will Smith.

Blackhurst’s work as a commercial director for Airbnb, Delta, Hilton, Farm Bureau, Scott TP, Volcom, SeaDoo, Dodge Ram, Tylenol, Uber Freight has been shortlisted for Cannes Lions and won AdWeek Arc and Webby Awards.

 He speaks fluent French. Toured with a rock band for 4 years. Got his start in action sports directing ski films. Grew up without a TV and wishes he didn’t have a cell phone. And yes, he wrote this little biography in the third person.

Nick Oleksiw (Mentor) - Producer, Mischief Entertainment

Nick Oleksiw is a producer partnering with various Hollywood production companies. He recently set up a comedy remake called DOBLE with Davis Entertainment and Sony. He is working with producers Jon Glickman and Dan Farah on genre projects, along with actor/producers Andre Holland and Andrew Bachelor on a documentary and comedy, respectively. He has additional thrillers being packaged with Anonymous Content and The Solution. Nick was the Executive Producer on the horror/thriller film WELCOME TO MERCY distributed by IFC.

As a feature film producer Nick set up the adventure-comedy THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE with Pascal Pictures, led by Amy Pascal, the Oscar-nominated, former Chairman of Columbia Pictures. He also set up the comedy THE LAST KARPINSKIS with Adam Pally (IRON MAN 3) starring. In addition, Nick also set up the horror feature film SILENT with Broken Road, SUSPENSION with Steven C. Miller directing, and a true-story thriller PROJECT SAFIRE, written by U.K. scribe Paul Webb. Nick also has had projects set up and produced at Anonymous Content.

As a television producer Nick recently set up a confidential project with Late Night veteran Samantha Bee's production company (Samantha was named one of Time's 100 most influential people in the world).

Nick previously ran development at Reel FX, a production studio led by Brad Booker and the creative force behind Golden Globe-nominee THE BOOK OF LIFE, FREE BIRDS starring Amy Poehler, Woody Harrelson, and Owen Wilson, and RISE OF THE GUARDIANS with DreamWorks. He began his career at APA, Sidney Kimmel, and Immersive Artistry.

What They Are Looking For and How They Can Help You!

"I'm looking for high-concept thrillers, action, comedy and rom-com in the feature space, along with 1hr thrillers in TV space."

Alexis Allen (Judge) - Producer, Casting Director, AW Casting

Alexis Allen Winter is a Producer and Casting Director for AW Casting. Alexis has cast projects including DIE IN A GUNFIGHT with Alexandra Daddario, Travis Fimmel, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Billy Crudup, and LORELEI with Jena Malone, as well as television series "LUKE CAGE", IRON FIST", "LEGION", and "FABLED".

 

She started casting in the southeast in 2007 and after following casting to LA in 2012, found her way into attaching names with value to help package projects for financing and distribution.

 

That naturally led her into a producer role on independent films, which is where she is currently focusing with a slate of projects in development for both film and TV. She Executive Produced the survival drama film THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH in 2025, which starred Alex MacNicoll (VICE) and Beau Knapp (THE NICE GUYS). Before that, she also Co-Executive Produced the contained horror/thriller movie QUICKSAND (2023), which was distributed by AMC+ and Shudder.

 

Alexis has a passion for activism in the industry through inclusion and support, and actively aiming for diversity in casting, staffing, and making it a goal to work with projects led by and representing women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Alex Aginian (Judge) - Producer, The Plastic Fantastic

Alex Aginian is a NY-based independent Producer, who produced the film ABSOLUTION (2024), starring Liam Neeson and Ron Perlman, which was directed by Hans Petter Molland and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. He produces under his banner

The Plastic Fantastic, a motion picture company committed to the innovative and the entertaining, telling character-driven genre stories, delivering the audience movies they crave and offering actors uniquely exciting roles to play.

 

Coming off of his most recent roles in international sales with north.five.six. as well as development and production finance for Warren Goz’s Sculptor Media, Alex is committed to guiding creative visions through the current entertainment marketplace. He has previously worked in development for Geyer Kosinski’s Media Talent Group, Open Road Films and CBS Television.

He got his start at Paper Street Films, a New York City-based film production and finance company managed by Austin Stark, Benji Kohn, and Bingo Gubelmann, where he was integral in the production of films like: INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, THE RUNNER, DETACHMENT, and HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE. Alex also worked at Double Nickel Entertainment know for projects such as THE BOOK OF HENRY, Golden Globe-nominee GRAN TORINO, FLOCK, and AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT.

Alex previously worked at Scott Rudin Productions and at the consulting company The Write Draft, where he focused on teaching playwrights TV writing.

Carver Diserens (Judge) - Producer, Works with Disney, Hulu

Carver Diserens is a producer who works with Disney Streaming, an incorporation of Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+. Most recently, Carver produced the THE LITTLE PRINCE(SS) for Disney+.

Carver previously spent time in development at Irwin Entertainment and Amazon Studios in LA as well as Wild Bunch in New York. He has 8 years of freelance production experience where he worked on various projects including ALPHA HOUSE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, ANCHORMAN 2, PERSON OF INTEREST, and ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA.

Carver also spent time at Thruline Entertainment, a management and production company in Beverly Hills, CA where he worked on shows such as JEFF ROSS PRESENTS ROAST BATTLE and I LOVE YOU, AMERICA WITH SARAH SILVERMAN. Carver is also a 2026 Film Independent Project Involve Producing Fellow

Jonny Stewart (Judge) - P.G.A. Producer, Pecan Creative

A member of The Producers Guild of America, Jonny Stewart is an award-winning Producer and Director whose work spans digital, television, branded content, documentary, and commercial production across multiple platforms. Over a career spanning 20 years, he has produced projects throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, working with leading brands, media companies, agencies, studios and entertainment partners in a wide range of production environments and conditions.

During his tenure at Condé Nast Entertainment in New York, Jonny produced more than 30 digital series and numerous editorial specials for brands including GQ and WIRED. His supervising producer work there contributed to a Producers Guild Award win for Best Digital Series for WIRED’s animated “What’s Inside”, and for the Sports Emmy-nominated GQ digital series “Casualties of the Gridiron”, a hard-hitting docu-series about the toll that injuries and concussions take on retired NFL players. He additionally developed and served as the lead producer on GQ’s breakout hit Most Expensivest with 2 Chainz, which has generated more than 500 million YouTube views and later expanded into a cable television series on VICE.

Past staff appointments include Omelet (Agency Producer), The Huffington Post (Special Projects Producer), and Condé Nast Entertainment (Supervising Producer), where Jonny developed expertise producing editorial, entertainment, and commercial content at scale across all phases, from conceptual scripting to production to distribution. He now works as an independent creative production specialist, collaborating with businesses, agencies, production companies, government organizations, and Fortune 500 brands on projects ranging from brand films and documentary storytelling to strategic communications and studio productions.

His client and project experience includes collaborations with organizations and legacy brands such as NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Condé Nast, GQ, WIRED, Golf Digest, NFL, Anheuser-Busch, Bacardi Limited, Red Bull, Whole Foods, FOX Entertainment, Sony Group Corporation, Microsoft, Marvel Entertainment, Adidas, NBCUniversal, and numerous global industrial and entertainment partners.

Ryan Goldblum (Mentor) - Literary Manager, Producer, Ghostwriter Literary Management

Ryan Goldblum is a Manager and Producer at Ghostwriter Literary Management, where he combines his experience in Film/TV development and literary management to identify emerging global talent, help guide and shape writer and director careers and portfolios, while developing an independent slate of indie feature projects both domestically and internationally.

Having worked alongside Emmy-award winning producers and creatives on projects like Richard Linklater's APOLLO 10 1/2 (Netflix) and Raphael Bob-Waksberg's UNDONE (Amazon), Ryan has a keen eye for projects that will pop in the marketplace.

His previous stops in development include stints at the independent multimedia production and finance company Bold Films (VOX LUX, SHOT CALLER, THE GUILTY), Marada Pictures, and MAGwired.

Currently, Ryan has two independent features set up with production partners, and clients developing scripts with top-tier production companies including Zero Gravity Productions and Gran Via Entertainment.

ENTRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Void where prohibited by law.

This Stage 32 Contest is an international contest. Must be 18 years or older to submit.

Entrant agrees to Stage32.com terms and conditions.

This Stage 32 Contest is not a game of chance. All material is read and reviewed by industry professionals.

All quarterfinalists, semi-finalists, finalists and winners are subjectively determined by our judges.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays an Entrant can enter. The same screenplay cannot be submitted multiple times under different names. If so, you will be disqualified.

Entrant must not be an immediate family member or friend of any of the judges or their respective companies.

Entrant acknowledges that because of the judges' and mentors' position in the entertainment industry they receive numerous submissions of ideas, formats, stories, suggestions and the like and that many such submissions heretofore or hereafter received by them are similar to or identical to those developed by them or their employees or, if an agent, are otherwise available to them.

Entrant acknowledges that they will not be entitled to any compensation because of the use by judges or mentors of any such similar material.

Entrant acknowledges that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between Entrant and judges or mentors, and Entrant further acknowledges that no such relationships are established between Entrant and judges or mentors by reason of this contest entry.

Entrants must submit screenplays and payment online.

Entrants must upload their submission within 72 hours of entry purchase.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

No waivers are available for this contest.

SCREENPLAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Screenplays should be written in English and in standard industry format.

The rights to the Entrant’s screenplay should not have been previously optioned or sold.

The Entrant retains the rights to his or her screenplay at all times.

Entrant’s screenplay must not have been produced.

The screenplay can be submitted with or without a title page and/or contact information.

After a screenplay is entered, no new drafts or corrected pages can be made by the Entrant unless it is confirmed in our records that the Entrant has paid for the "Resubmission" option.

Screenplay must be submitted as a PDF document.

Screenplay must be the original work of the Entrant and may not be based whole or in part on any fictional or non-fictional material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced for which the Entrant does not have rights. Neither Stage 32 nor its judges investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

Using our new Feedback & Resubmission Option you will get 3-5 pages of coverage/notes back in 5-days with a guaranteed option to resubmit one (1) revised draft of your script up to 10 days after the Final Deadline! See what elements of your script are working and what still needs to be developed. You can position yourself for the best chance of success - all for an additional fee of only $99.

This option is good for a one-time use and is non-refundable/non-transferable if you do not enter an updated draft. Updated drafts will need to be sent to contests@stage32.com to be scored.